tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249699512024-03-13T16:56:42.054+09:00hiroshima sunday bluesInconsequential comments relating to DEH FC in the Hiroshima City Sunday League, Golf, the occasional mahjong report & other ramblings...English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-18494366348587801072009-11-29T01:32:00.002+09:002009-11-29T01:50:38.459+09:00It IS Very Simple...Just finished an article from The Times. A "What If..." predicted scenario which involves a minority Tory government falling under a no confidence motion, but through political manoeuvring, the monarch suspends Parliament for a short period. What shocked me the most, was not that this possibility is legal under the current 'constitution', but that people leave comments supporting the suspension English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-45093528386726924792008-09-25T23:05:00.005+09:002008-09-25T23:07:27.180+09:00Next to Nothing (Again)Fifa and Uefa both seem to operate under a code that shows no actual attachment to reality. This is nothing new, sporting bodies are nearly always reactive, hardly ever being brave enough to take the lead by instigating reforms in advance of obvious problems. Today Fifa took the low road once more by fining the Croatian FA a meager $28,000 for racist behaviour by their fans towards black English English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-12789967593836482202008-09-07T14:26:00.006+09:002008-09-07T14:54:55.207+09:00A Very English August: Golf Part 1One of the pleasures of any return to England is the opportunity to play some golf, on an eclectic choice of courses, with a mate and crucially, whilst not spending a small fortune for the privilege. The contrast between how golf is played in Japan to England is at its widest when emptying the wallet in the clubhouse before the round. In Japan, it can be an ideal way to lighten to the load in English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-24213412350219445762008-09-05T09:27:00.006+09:002008-09-05T09:59:34.652+09:00A Very English August: IntroductionAs an exiled (to be fair it is my own choice) Englishman, one has at times bristled and become sensitive about despairing remarks concerning the mother country's summer climate. Often, one has been forced to listen to crude terminology dismissing the English climate (food, sports teams, female attractiveness...) as something to be avoided like a lonely Yorkshire Moor pub on a moonlit night. TheseEnglish News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-62897567842068607372008-09-05T09:13:00.004+09:002008-09-05T09:27:23.472+09:00The Result...(eventually)The Result: 2-2The Pitch: A dust ballThe Heat: Very uncomfortableThe O.M: He played about 15 minutes.The 2nd O.M: He scored the first equaliser.The Match: Enjoyable, end to end with plenty of chances.The Final Analysis: A draw was a fair an just reflection of the action.The Medical Report: Surprisingly the old body held up rather well, with few next day aches.The Post Match Meal: Excellent, English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-43477728186764704012008-07-20T13:47:00.011+09:002008-07-20T14:19:37.411+09:00The Morning Before...For the first time this season, DEH FC will be playing a night game, which considering the brutality of the summer heat and humidity that has embraced this part of Japan in the last few weeks seems to be a blessing from the schedulers. So as the legs continue to get older , the limbs heavier and the team-mates younger, thoughts do progress to the day when I will be unable to do this, for this English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-74120501112738351402008-06-27T18:48:00.002+09:002008-06-27T18:51:16.860+09:00Substance Not SymbolismIn the horror and destruction that has engulfed Zimbabwe and its people over the last few years the condemnation of that country’s leadership has been loud and clear, at least amongst the Western democracies. Political and economic sanctions have been imposed, perhaps justifiably, as its citizens are subjected to a continued onslaught of brutality.As the reports cascade out of Zimbabwe reporting English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-21430415792785498302008-06-25T19:34:00.005+09:002008-12-11T12:05:27.658+09:00Two on the TrotIn five seasons of playing for DEH FC never have we started the season as well as this year, played 2 won 2, scored 3 conceded 1, 6pts from 6. Remarkably we are currently only 1pt shy of our total for last season and have already outscored the previous season (our “relegation” one) by 4pts. Things are looking on the up!Our 2nd game was played at the same venue as our 1st, out in the wilds of English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-45298702023153495112008-06-23T17:42:00.000+09:002008-06-23T17:43:17.973+09:00Some Random ThoughtsTo revel in someone else’s misfortune does not seem a rather gentlemanly occupation to partake in. And yet, I must admit to a degree of satisfaction whilst watching Italy lose on penalties to Spain in the QF in Euro 2008. I have no real grudge against Italy, indeed I am rather fond of their wine, food and history. However, I do have a personal enmity towards a certain Italian football player who English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-73825178151308993272008-05-26T23:02:00.002+09:002008-12-11T12:05:27.809+09:002008 Team PhotoDeh FC May 25th 2008: FC 180 1-2 Deh FCThe Away Shirts are on the ground...English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-72564610611706008472008-05-26T22:55:00.003+09:002008-05-26T23:00:48.606+09:00A Winning StartFC 180 (0) 1 - 2 (1) Deh FCOut in the wilds of Hiroshima state is the Monomomichi park, a not too enjoyable 2 hour drive just to play a game of football. It wasn't even a grass pitch. My memory is somewhat clouded by age, alcohol and the natural onset of mild dementia, but I am pretty sure this is towards the longer times and miles driven just to get to a football ground. The park itself is English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-26065710923467300922008-04-20T15:07:00.007+09:002008-04-20T15:15:52.240+09:00Another Fine MessRecent season have not been kind to Leeds United, they have almost successfully turned themselves into a footballing equivalent of British Leyland. I suppose I should own up from the beginning and admit that Leeds is not a club for which I have much sympathy with or for. Following the red United from Manchester, having bricks thrown at me whilst trying to gain entry to Elland Road once and havingEnglish News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-58187297321322501712008-04-12T11:05:00.005+09:002008-04-12T17:33:51.072+09:00The Season is Over!This new modern technology is indeed a mysterious wonder. Our final game of the season has been played...even though the kick of date was scheduled for May 5th, or next month. Apparently a thrilling 0-0 draw did not truly reflect the game that was brimming with off-side goals, red cards, missed penalties, nubile cheerleaders and even a streaker. What a way to sign off the season that ended with English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-78031861218149052462008-04-09T19:54:00.001+09:002008-04-09T20:00:57.032+09:00All-English Final - Sweet F.AYesterday was the first night of the quarter-finals of the European Cup, or as it is now rebranded the Champions League. Even though, the old name seems to encapsulate the reality of the participants better than the new one. However that is a different path and the purpose of this posting is once more to hammer on the bolted door of the F.A.’s insane reasoning. Last night 3 English teams played, English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-91364364274566459932008-04-07T19:05:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:28.699+09:00A few Summer SnapsWhilst transferring a few photos from a memory card I stumbled on these photos that were taken at my flat whilst Neil was visiting last summer. If my memory serves me well, we had earlier been gorging ourselves at the Fukuya Beer Garden. To be honest not a lot of the night's activities can be recalled, although how Tim's attire could have been dislodged from one's mind is something that probably English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-40371958306451154872008-04-05T18:00:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:29.669+09:00The NEW DEH FC Shirt 2008-2009It is here folks! After years of tight, minute negotiations next season(s) kit has arrived from the secret underground lair in rural Devon. First impressions are that it is very, very lightweight due to a) the ultra expensive Adidas climate control unicorn skin or b) it being a bit cheap. However, if the shirt holds together those humid Hiroshima summers will be a bit easier for those of us who English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-64665677660635003642008-04-01T14:51:00.008+09:002008-12-11T12:05:29.858+09:00DEH March NewsFootball Kit SagaTowards the end of 2006 I started to swirl the idea around that our beloved little football team needed a new kit. It was becoming somewhat embarrassing (not to mention looking like we were auditioning for parts in Oliver Twist) as our band of players were turning up in shirts that were vaguely blue, that we needed to be kitted out anew. So, I decided to check out different English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-4827850243310560512008-03-10T22:17:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:32.591+09:00A Trip Down South For some time now my friend Neil, (translator extraordinaire, MJ player, surfer and travelling Wilbury) has been issuing invitations for visits to his various homes that have been scattered across Japan. With the missus being off for a week and dropping liberal unsubtle hints about “enjoying some downtime” (US TV for you!), I decided that some R&R with a mate down in Kyushu would be very English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-37299604047502604402008-03-10T16:26:00.016+09:002008-12-11T12:05:33.765+09:00A Bit of Pre-Wedding Golf Including Some Great ShotsBefore the little happening of my wedding, a welcome return to the golf course was also combined with a visit from a friend from England and the first ever 18 holes for a new member of the golfing fraternity.It was a rather chilly, snow flecked Thursday when the four-ball party started their round, consisting of my friend Tim from Barnsley, David, my 12 year old nephew Flynn and myself. Flynn wasEnglish News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-15204465621022125442008-03-10T16:18:00.003+09:002008-03-10T16:25:54.396+09:00A 6 Month HiatusWell, there are a number of excuses I could provide for not keeping this blog up-to-date; marriage, writing a book, a computer crash, the depression of watching any English national team….but in truth laziness is the only valid excuse. So, from now on I will attempt to keep this blog looking less like an unwanted bizarre Christmas present and more like a beloved family heirloom. Hopefully.English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-86137082765309617382007-10-06T23:25:00.000+09:002007-10-06T23:38:54.310+09:00A Great MythMany well-known beliefs accepted by countless people are of course nothing more than a good story. Up until fairly recently I would have been quite happy to attribute the biggest myths to religion. That was until last night, or maybe it was early this morning as the details are a bit foggy! This was when a view was aired that has taken over as the biggest Great Myth of all!Two weeks ago Kenyon, English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-60096468754848476812007-09-17T15:35:00.001+09:002008-12-11T12:05:38.902+09:00Hawaii: Golf at Pearl C.C.I was determined to play at least one round of golf during my stay in Oahu - that was the easy decision, the harder one was which course to play. There are some famous and exquisite courses on the island and I was keen to avoid three possibilities;1) Paying even more money for a round than I usually do in Japan2) Not having to travel more than 2 hours to reach the 1st Tee3) A course that wouldn'tEnglish News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-85290365308966777322007-09-17T08:55:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:40.074+09:00Hawaii: Water of PearlsEver since I was child I have had a mental list of places, that given the right circumstances, I was determined at some point to experience. This year allowed me to tick 2 places of this list, starting with the Eternal City in March. Rome is hardly an original choice, but that is for very obvious reasons. Any one place that allows a visitor to delve into the Colosseum, The Forum, St. Peter's English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-17381740041788714672007-08-23T12:53:00.000+09:002007-08-23T12:57:19.229+09:00Same Ol' Same 'OlEngland football fans have got the national team they deserve. This is 2007, for those of you who are unsure about the fine detail, that means it is the 21st Century. So, why for the love of everything, do English supporters feel the “patriotic” need to boo and jeer other countries national anthems? It is not childish, a bit of a laugh or amusing. It is puerile, disgusting and pre-mediated English News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-31992199965822203832007-07-23T20:20:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:40.777+09:00A Very Very Long 2nd HalfA classic. 3-2 down and the long second half just about to finally be ended by the whistle perched in the referee's lips. Looking at his watch, counting the reaming seconds between FCディナモ and a moral inspiring first win. The heat and humidity were sapping, the floodlights dimming, the game ending and then....and then little Yasu DEH's midfield maestro hurtled down the left wing outpacing a coupleEnglish News Weeklyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1